About the APF

The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) is the peak body for the administration, regulation and representation of Australian Sport Parachuting. This is achieved by promoting skydiving and maintaining a high level of safety and by improving the standard of Sport Parachuting to encourage participation and excellence in performance.

The APF is the organisation which controls skydiving and parachuting at most civilian operations in Australia. With the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) it sets the standards of operation, conducts competitions, issues licences, certifications and instructor ratings, conducts exams and distributes various publications to keep its members informed of current events and safety standards.

The APF administers the sport of parachuting through a Deed of Agreement with CASA for which it assists with safety and surveillance duties and controls parachute rigger and packer standards in Australia.

Benefits of membership include the right to skydive in Australia, liability insurance, representation, information and standards setting.

APF Constitution

Strategic DIRECTION 2016 - 2020

APF Code of Ethics

MANDATORY

As members and officials of the Federation and its member organisations, we are governed by such regulatory documents as the Constitution, Operational Regulations, disciplinary policy and procedures and Rigging Advisory Circulars. In addition, it is imperative that we conduct ourselves in a way which will uphold the professional reputation of the Federation when involved in operations and business activities relating to parachuting.

It is therefore a condition of APF membership that all members and member organisations adhere to the Code of Ethics outlined below. Non-compliance could result in the loss of membership or refusal of affiliation.

The following principles set out the ethical standards which the Federation expects to be upheld.

As members and officials, we must at all times:

Implement the Federation's regulations and policies so that the highest possible standards of safety and professionalism are maintained.

Conduct our professional and parachuting activities in a way which upholds and enhances the reputation of the sport and the Federation.

Act honestly, fairly and properly in dealings with students, other parachutists and with the general public.

A Short History Of Sport Parachuting and the Australian Parachute Federation

Development

Prior to 1958 either barnstorming display jumpers or military paratroops carried out all parachuting in Australia.

In 1958, two safety equipment workers at Williamtown Air Force Base decided to make parachute jumps outside of their working environment, just for the fun of it. Those few weekend jumps made by Jack Stevens and Allan McDonald were the birth of a sporting activity that now sees more than 150,000 first parachute jumps per year.

The first meeting of the Australian Parachute Federation was held on Sunday 23rd of October 1960 at the Camden Inn Hotel in New South Wales. The Department of Civil Aviation forbid parachuting except with the written permission of the Director General of Civil Aviation and so initially, the Federation was needed to negotiate a more equitable right of access to the air.

Within a few years it became obvious that the Federation would have to involve itself in the safety aspects of parachuting or face being regulated out of the air. Early fatal accidents were at an unacceptable level and so the Federation embarked on a program to improve safety regulation, implement safety education and instruction standards. These programs were so successful that the number of fatal accidents has decreased considerably while the number of parachute jumps made has increased 100 fold.

Skydiving (controlling one’s body in free fall) was embraced by Australian parachutists during the sixties and soon after the first baton pass was made, Australia led the world until the end of that phase. The Australian 6-Way baton pass from 12,500 feet was only ever equalled by the US Army Parachute Team from 31,000 feet. As relative work developed through 4-Way Stars to 8-Way and 10-Way Stars, Australian skydivers remained at the leading edge and at the first World Championships of Relative Work (Formation Skydiving) they won the silver medal in the 10-Way Speed Star event.

Since then Australian skydiving has continually remained at a very high standard. The introduction of the glamour skydiving events of the nineties, freestyle skydiving and skysurfing, saw Australian skydivers embrace it and immediately start winning international medals. As skydiving moves into new disciplines they will no doubt be there at the cutting edge of the sport. In addition to 150,000+ first jumps being completed by Tandem last year, about 3,000 recreational skydivers did approximately 200,000 jumps across the country.

The Australian Parachute Federation today

"The Australian Parachute Federation is the peak body for the administration and representation of Australian Sport Parachuting. We achieve this by promoting and maintaining a high level of safety and by improving the standard of Sport Parachuting to encourage participation and excellence in performance."

The APF is the organisation which controls skydiving and parachuting at nearly all the civilian operations in Australia. With the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) it sets the standards of operation, conducts competitions, issues licenses, certifications and instructor ratings, conducts exams and publishes a magazine (ASM) and newsletter to keep its members informed of current events and safety standards.

The APF was located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory for many years and in January 2010 relocated its national office to Brisbane in Queensland. In May 2015, members voted overwhelmingly at the AGM to move from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee and on 21 July 2015, ASIC approved the move. The APF Office has 10full-time employees and an army of volunteers at State and local drop zone level.

It is affiliated with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) through the Air Sport Australia Confederation and has close links to the FAI International Parachuting Commission (IPC), the Parachute Industry Association (PIA), and is contracted to carry out safety and surveillance duties for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and assist Airservices Australia with airspace management.

Promulgation of parachute instruction regulation and the implementation of the parachute instructor rating examination and rating system;

Promulgation and implementation of a parachute rigger/packer examination and rating system;

Administration of parachuting competitions at all levels;

Administration of parachuting competition coaching at all levels;

Promulgation and implementation of a parachute competition judges examination and rating system;

Production of educational material for all areas of sport parachuting;

Promotion of excellence in all sport parachuting endeavours;

Promotion of sport parachuting and the correction of erroneous public impressions about sport parachuting;

Supply insurance to members as directed by the APF Board.

CURRENT APF VACANCIES

Receptionist

The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) is a not-for-profit (NFP), self-administered organisation which administers skydiving in Australia.
Due to continued growth an excellent opportunity has become available for a Receptionist to become part of our team at our Underwood office, Queensland. This sought-after role in the world of Skydiving would ultimately suit an individual with industry experience or who is currently Skydiving.

Your exceptional organisational skills and willingness to assist where needed will secure you this position. Your interest in growing in the role and your special interest in the industry will be an asset to this organisation along with a cheerful disposition and pleasant personality. To be considered for this position, you must have a positive, “Can-do” attitude and enjoy working independently, as well as proactively as part of a team to achieve company goals. An excellent phone manner, Microsoft office knowledge as well as general administration duties are required.

Apply NOW by sending a covering letter describing your suitability for the role and your resume in Word or PDF format. Applications are to be no longer than two A4 pages and will be accepted until 5PM AEST 9th February 2018

National Rigging Officer (NRO)

APF is seeking a new National Rigging Officer following Brett Newman’s decision to pursue other interests. This is a part-time volunteer position reporting to the Safety and Training Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified member to contribute to the development of improved equipment standards and growth of our rigging and packing community. It involves national and overseas travel, participation in our conferences and attendance at international events. Applicants must be an experienced rigger, although a highly experienced Packer A may be considered.

For more information, see the Job Description. Please call the APF Office on 07 3457 0100 prior to Monday 5th February for advice on making an application.

Rottnest Island - A busy tourist island located 20 km off shore from Perth.
Busselton - A coastal drop zone in the Margaret River Region, around 2.5hrs drive south of Perth.

Do you consider yourself an above average Instructor with a strong focus on customer service? Do you want to work with a vibrant small team, jumping on to one of the worlds most spectacular drop zones? Then Geronimo may be for you.
Both DZ's use near new Sigma tandem rigs. All cameras are supplied with great rates.
There may be potential for the right person to move into an Ops Managers role.
The successful candidate will have:
• Above average canopy skills
• Above average customer service
• Display Pro
• Preferably an IB

Position: Pilots required at Tooradin and Euroa

Please send Chris Barry a cover letter with a brief outline of experience, the last 2 pages of logbook, a copy of medical certificate and licence.
A minimum of a private pilot’s licence is required.
JPA is not mandatory as training is provided.